Mold



N. J. GUIMONT Sept. 25, 1956 MOLD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 13, 1951 4' NVENTOR. ,/l/egom 62am m Sept. 25, 1956 N. J. GUIMONT MOLD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 13, 1951 INVENTOR. @a/zwi- United States Patent O '2,763,909 MOLD elson 4J. Guimont, Chicago, lll.

Application August 13, 1951, Serial No. 241,580

11 Claims. (Cl. 25--121) This invention is concerned generally with the production of concrete piers for building foundations and particularly with a mold for casting such piers.

This invention is concerned with the production of cast concrete piers such as are disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,383,544, issued August 28, 1945, and entitled Foundation Block Structure. These blocks or piers are utilized to support a wooden frame or sill of a building such as a garage a short distance above the ground level and afford a much more permanent construction than the commonly used cedar posts which rot out in a relatively short time. The piers are tapered or Wedge shaped with the large end down so as to be anchored quite firmly in the ground and are provided at opposite upper edges with upstanding metal straps for attachment to the wooden frame or sill to anchor the sill on top of the piers.

The tapered coniiguration of these piers as Well a-s the straps at the upper ends thereof makes transportation of such blocks difficult without damage to the piers or blocks including the straps thereon. For this and other rea-sons it is preferable to cast the piers or blocks on the job.

Heretofore such on-the-job casting of concrete piers has required individual forms or molds or has required casting in horizontal position. The former expedient is tedious and expensive while the latter requires too much area and makes it hard to obtain dat sides without ns caused by the poured concrete overlapping the edge of the forms or molds.

It therefore is an object of this invention to provide a new or improved mold or form for casting tapered concrete piers or blocks. Another object of this invention is to provide a mold for casting concrete piers which is easy to assemble and disassemble and therefore is readily transportable.

A further object of this invention is to provide a mold or form for casting tapered concrete piers in vertical position whereby to form a plurality of such piers in a small area.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a mold for casting concrete piers wherein the mold is comprised of a plurality of like sections secured together in any desirable number whereby substantially any number of piers can be cast at one time.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved means for removing cast tapered concrete piers from molds.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying draw'- ings wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of principles of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of one of the piers formed in the mold;

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of a mold cap member showing assembly of one of the pier straps therewith;

a mold embodying the Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective of the cap without l the strap;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the mold taken substantially along the line 5 5 in Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of one of the like forms or sections going to make up the mold; v

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Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the end section or for-In of the mold;

Fig. 8 illustrates the removal of one of the cast ple'rs from the form; and t Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view along the line 9--9 1n Fig. 8.

A mold embodying the principles of my invention 1s identified generally by the numeral 10 in Fig. l. The mold will best be understood with reference iirst to one of the piers to be made therein. One of the piers 12 as shown in Fig. 2 is of generally tapering or wedge shaped configuration having oppositely disposed parallel faces 14 and oppositely disposed faces 16 which diverge from top to bottom. The large base thus formed provides a rm footing in the ground and the small top readily holds a w-ooden sill or frame without being unnecessarily larger than the'sill or frame. Additionally, the tapered 'sides 16 allow earth to be placed above a portion of the piers so that the piers are firmly anchored. The piers are completed by-upstanding connectors or tabs 18 preferably forming part of a metal strap buried in the concrete. The strap conveniently is of aluminum or other relatively soft metal so that nails can be driven through the tab ends into wooden sleepers without the necessity of forming holes in the tab ends.

The mold 10 is comprised of a plurality of similar or like sections or forms 20 one of which i-s shown in detail in Fig. 6. Each form orsection 20 comprises an end panel 22 which conveniently can be plywood. A footing 24, also of wood and conveniently a common 2 by 4, is nailed across the bottom of each panel. Spacers 26 extend upwardly from the footing 24 in diverging pairs and also are formed of the well known 2 by-4s and secured to the panel by nails. In order to aiord a watertight joint between the spacers 26 and the panels 22, the sides -or faces of the spacers nailed to the panels 22 are formed concave as best seen at 23 in Fig. 5. The spacers thus contact the panels 22 to which they are nailed with substantially feather edges affording a very intimate contact. The outer or free sides or faces of the spacers 26 are beveled or inclined as at 30 to provide a sharp edge affording intimate contact with the part which it contacts as'will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.

A pair of supports 32 (Figs. 6 and 8) is secured at the bottom of the space between each pair of spacers 26 and these supports conveniently are held in place by nails. Each mold section 20 is completed by a Wooden cap 34 resting on top of each pair of supports 32.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, each cap 34 may be seen to comprise a rectangular wooden block having cut or relieved portions 36 on a pair of oppositely disposed edges. The relieved portions accommodate a metal strap 38 bent so as to have a peaked portion 40. The ends of the strap 38 form the aforementioned end tabs or connectors 18 and these are folded at against the bottom of the cap as shown in Fig. 3. The cut out or relieved portions 36 may be formed by removing some ofthe wood from the cap 34 or may be formed by beating the metal strap into the wood at this location, the strap thus acting as a die. Y

'Ihe mold 10 further includes a pair of end sections 42 as shown in Fig. 7. Each of these end sections includes a panel 44 similar to the panels 22 and is provided with a peripheral framework of 2 by 4s 46 nailed to the panel 44. Cross braces 48 are nailed in position between oppositely disposed 2 by 4s 46 of the peripheral frame! Y The last row of compartments is completed by the back face ot' the panel 44v4 of one of" the end" sections 42 and it is this panel which is shown in contact with the beveled edge 30 in Fig. -5. One of the end sections 42-is provided with transversely disposed pairs of ears or tabs 52-n vertically spaced relation. The tabs or. ears 52. support tie blocks 54 which are connected to oppositely disposed tie blocks by tie rods. 56. The. tie blocks 54 each comprise a center wooden strip or board 58 with outer strips of boards 60 nailed on both sides thereof. Each board 58 is shorter than the boards 60 so that spaces areleft between the boards 60 at the ends thereof to accommodate the ti'e bars 56. The ends 62 of the boards 60' extend beyond the vertical frame members or 2 by 4s 46 of the end section. 42. and have their outer corners removed as a safety measure. Nuts 64 are threaded on the ends of the tie bars and abut metal plates 66 to force the metal plates against the end sections 42 to clamp-the mold together.

The mold preferably issupported above the,l ground on a pair of 2 by 4s 68 and readily is assembled by one man with any number of sections to cast. any number ofy piers as may be desired. It will be seen that the tabs or ears S2 support the tie blocks 54 while the mold is being. assembled so that only a single workman is needed to assemble the mold.

Fins 70 consisting of elongated wooden strips 72 and having downwardly directed short strips or retainers 74 nailed thereto are mounted along the top edges of the mold 10. The tins are held in position by the retainers 74 tting between thev upper tie rods 56 and the adjacent spacers 26.V These ns act to prevent concrete from being spilled over the edges of the mold which would render the mold unsightly and result inns on the piers.

It willbe noted that the top ends 76 of the spacers 26 lie slightly below the top edges 78 of the panels 22. This allows each row of cast piers to be smoothed off readily with a trowel while the concrete is wet without displacing any ofthe concrete over on to the next row of cast piers.

In order to speed up production it is desirable to remove the cast concrete piers 12 from the molds as soon as the concrete has preset. The preset concrete is .relatively weak and is easily damaged so I have provided novel means for removing the piers from the mold. WithL respect to removing the piers from the mold, it should be borne in mind thatthe piers are separated from wooden forms much more readily than from steel forms. This. is partially due to the resiliency of the wood which allows the wood to give to prevent interlocking of irregularities in the surface and complementary portions cast in. the piers. It further is dueto that fact that the wood expands slightly due to taking up water from the wet concrete and then contracts to pull away from. the piers as the wood dries.

The means. for` removing the preset piers from the mold is shown in Figs. 8 and 9. A jack 80 is used to push upwardly on each cap 34 to force. the tapered pier 12 upwardly and thus away from the spacersl 26. The jack 80 consists of a metal base plate` 82 having upstanding ears'. 34 and 86. A pair of lifting links 88 is pivoted on the ear 86 on a pin 90 and these links embrace and are. pivoted to a foot lever 92 at 94. The foot lever 92 is provided at its free endl with a transvese foot plate 96 and the lever is pivoted intermediate its ends and toward the pivoted end 94 to apair of links. 98 at 100. The links 98 embrace the foot lever 92 and also embrace the ear 84V to whichv they are pivoted at 102. A. thrust link 104 is pivoted between the lifting links 88 at 106 and a jack head 108- is pivoted tothe thrust link 104 at 110. The head 108 is provided with a horizontal ange` 112 having downturned ends and the upper cornersA of the thrust link 104` are beveled` to allow a slight tipping of the head relative to this link.

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To remove the piers from the molds after the concrete has been preset, the tie rods 56 and tie blocks are removed and the end section 42 is pulled off. The jack is then inserted between two of the supports 32 with the head 108 beneath the cap 34, the base plate 82 resting on the footing 24 and ona wooden block 114. Downward pressure on the foot plate 96 raises the head 108 substantially straight. up to raise the cap. 34 and thus to raise the pier 12. The substantially straight upward movementis of utmostl importance as it prevents chipping of the pier as would occur if other means such as a crow bar were used to raise the pier. The tab ends of each strap 38v are bent. apart to release the cap 34 and the peakedportion 40 of the strap 38 remains imbedded in the concrete pier with the tab ends 18 extending therefrom inparallelism as seen in Fig. 2. Successive rows of piers 12 are removed one by one from the forms or mold sections 20 in the'same manner as will be obvious. The piers then may be laid aside to set more completely or may. be buried immediately as may be necessary or convenient.

It now is evident that the mold disclosed herein is readily assembled and disassembled for transportation, is adaptable. for concurrently casting substantially any number of. concrete piers, requires little area for use, and in cooperation with my improved jack allows the piers to be removed when preset without wating for'complete and nal setting or hardening thereof. Obviously various changes can be made in the physical structure of the embodiment herein disclosed for illustrative purposes without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims, and the right to make such changes therefore is expressly reserved.

I claim:

l. A mold for casting tapered concrete piers or the like comprising a plurality of spaced apart panels, a plurality of spacers between each pair of panels, said spacers relatively diverging in pairs, said panels and spacers together defining a plurality of open-ended tapered compartments having large and small ends, the length of a compartment being considerably greater than the width thereof at said small end, a cap member shiftably mounted at the small end of each compartment above the bottom ends of said spacers to provide leverage access thereto for movement of the cap toward the large end, and means for restraining movement of each of said cap' members outwardly of the compartment in which it is mounted and affording inward movement to looseny a tapered'pier or the like cast therein.

2. A mold for casting tapered concrete piers or the like comprising a plurality of spaced apart panels, a plurality of spacers between each pair of panels, a base support associated with each panel and disposed below the lower ends of said spacers, said spacers relatively diverging in pairs, said panels and spacers together defining a plurality of open-ended tapered compartments having large and small ends, the length of a compartment being considerably greater than the width thereof at said small end, a cap member shiftably mounted at the small end of each compartment and above said support to atord-` leverage access thereto for shifting the same toward the large end, and means for restraining movement of each of said cap members outwardly of the compartment in which it is mounted and affording inward movement to loosen a tapered pier or the like cast therein.

3. A mold for casting tapered concrete piers or the like comprising a plurality of spaced apart panels, a plurality of pairs of spacers between each pair of panels, the spacers of each pair relatively diverging and alternate spacers being substantially parallel, said panels and spacers together defining a plurality of open-ended tapered com- Prtments having large and small ends, a cap member Shiftably mounted at the small end of each compartment above the bottom ends of said spacers to provide leverage access thereto for movement of the cap toward the large end, and means for restraining movement of each said cap member outwardly of the compartment in which it is mounted and affording inward movement to loosen a tapered pier or the like cast therein.

4. A mold for casting tapered concrete piers or the like comprising a plurality of spaced apart panels, a plurality of pairs of spacers between each pair of panels, a base support associated with each panel and disposed below the lower ends of said spacers, the spacers of each pair relatively diverging and alternate spacers being substantially parallel, said panels and spacers together defining a plurality of open-ended tapered compartments having large and small ends, a cap member shiftably mounted inwardly of the compartment at the small end of each compartment and above said support to attord leverage access thereto for shifting the same, and means for restraining movement of each said cap member outwardly of the compartment in which it is mounted and aording inward movement to loosen a tapered pier or the like cast therein.

5. A mold for casting tapered concrete piers or the like comprising a plurality of spaced apart panels, a plurality of spacers between each pair of panels, said spacers relatively diverging in pairs, said panels and spacers together defining a plurality of open-ended tapered compartments having large and small ends, a cap member shiftably mounted inwardly of the compartment at the smaller end of each compartment above the bottom ends of said spacers to provide leverage access thereto toward the large end and shaped to accommodate a fastening member cast in the pier or the like, and means for restraining movement of each said cap member outwardly `of the compartment in which it is mounted and aifording inward movement to loosen a tapered pier or the like cast therein.

6. A mold for casting tapered concrete piers or the like comprising a plurality of like mold sections each such section including a panel and a plurality of spacers secured to and projecting from one face thereof into abutment with the adjacent face of the panel of the next section, the spacers diverging in pairs and projecting from each panel a distance no greater than the width of that panel, an end section having a panel, releasable means acting substantially at right angles to the planes of said panels for holding said sections together with the spacers on one section abutting the panel of the adjacent section, the panels and spacers together defining a plurality of open-ended tapered compartments having large and small ends, and a cap member for closing one end of each of said compartments.

7. A mold for casting tapered concrete piers or the like comprising a plurality of like mold sections each such section including a panel and a plurality of spacers secured to and projecting from one face thereof into abutment with the adjacent face of the panel of the next section, the spacers diverging in pairs, an end section having a panel, releasable means acting substantially at right angles to the planes of said panels for holding said sections together with the spacers on one section abutting the panel of the adjacent section, the panels and spacers together defining a plurality of open-ended tapered compartments having large and small ends, a shiftable cap member mounted at the small end of each compartment, and means for restraining movement of each said cap member outwardly of the compartment in which it is mounted and aording inward movement to loosen a tapered pier or the like cast therein.

8. A mold for casting tapered concrete piers or the like comprising a plurality of like mold sections each such section including a panel and a plurality of spacers thereon, the spacers diverging in pairs, an end section having a panel, releasable means for holding said sections together with the spacers on one section abutting the panel of the adjacent section, the panels and spacers together dening a plurality of open-ended tapered compartments having large and small ends, a cap member shiftably mounted at the small end of each compartment for movement into the compartment, means for restraining movement of each said cap member outwardly of the compartment in which it is mounted and means for shifting each said cap member into its compartment to loosen a tapered pier or the like cast therein.

9. A mold for casting tapered concrete piers or the like comprising a plurality of like mold sections, each said section including a panel and a plurality of pairs of spacers thereon, at least one of each pair of spacers being fixed to its associated panel, the spacers of each pair relatively diverging and alternate spacers being substantially parallel, an end section having a panel, means for securing said panels together with the spacers of one section abutting the panel of the next section, said panels and spacers together defining a plurality of openended tapered compartments having large and small ends, a cap member shiftably mounted for movement into the compartment at the small end of each compartment above the bottom ends of said spacers to provide leverage access thereto toward the large end, and means restraining movement of each said cap member outwardly of the compartment in which it is mounted and affording inward movement to loosen a tapered pier or the like cast therein.

10. A wooden mold for casting tapered concrete piers or the like comprising a plurality of similar mold sections, each such section including a wooden panel and a plurality of elongated wooden spacers secured thereon, said spacers being parallel to said panel and relatively diverging in pairs, said spacers being terminated at one end short of an edge of said panel, a base secured to the panel below the ends of said spacers, an end section having a wooden panel, releasable means for holding said sections together with the spacers of one section abutting the panel of the next section, the panels and spacers together defining a plurality of open-ended tapered compartments having large and small ends, a wooden block closing the small end of each said compartment and disposed above said base to provide leverage access thereto, and means secured to the several panels for restraining movement of each said block outwardly o1' the compartment in which it is mounted and aording inward movement to loosen a tapered pier or the like cast therein.

1l. A mold for casting tapered concrete piers or the like comprising a plurality of similar mold sections, each such section including a panel and a plurality of spacers thereon, said spacers relatively diverging in pairs, an end section having a panel, a plurality of elongated abutment members, a plurality of tie bars extending between pairs of said abutment members to hold said sections together with the spacers of one section abutting the panel of the next section, said panels and spacers defining a plurality of open-ended tapered compartments having large and small ends, a cap member shiftably mounted at the small end of each compartment and above the bottom ends of said spacers, and means for restraining movement of said cap member outwardly of the compartment in which it is mounted and aiiording inward movement thereof to loosen a tapered pier or the like cast therein.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,220,526 Marshall Mar. 27, 1917 1,251,175 Boyer Dec. 25, 1917 1,349,502 Dorau Aug. 10, 1920 1,420,831 Furst June 27, 1922 1,436,033 Hahn Nov. 21, 1922 1,586,295 Diehl et al. May 25, 1926 2,368,502 Troiel Jan. 30, 1945 2,453,223 Henderson Nov. 9, 1948 2,467,107 Bailey Apr. 12, 1949 2,611,171 Wilson Sept. 23, 1952 

